Surgical clip for laparoscopic procedures

ABSTRACT

A surgical clip for a clip applier to ligate vessels. The clip contains two opposing legs connected in parallel by an apex to form a U-shape. Each leg has an outer surface with a half-round cross-sectional configuration for minimizing tissue damage by preventing clip scissoring during ligation. Each leg has an inner surface with a flat central surface, two concave grooves on opposing sides of the central surface, and two convex ridges on opposing sides of the each groove. As a vessel is ligated, vessel tissue moves into the concave grooves while remaining frictionally engaged by the compressive forces applied by the central surfaces and convex ridges of each leg so that the clip does not move on the vessel. The edges of the grooves and the edges of the ridges of each leg are rounded to prevent any cutting of the ligated vessel.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 61/312,505 filed on Mar. 10, 2010, the contents of whichare incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to novel surgical ligation clips for ligatingblood vessels during laparoscopic or endoscopic procedures.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

In order to operate on a given tissue or a blood vessel, surgeons mustligate or occlude nearby blood vessels to prevent patient blood loss.

Since laparoscopic and endoscopic surgical procedures are conductedthrough a small incision in the skin or natural body orifices, thesurgeon must have long and narrow tools to complete this ligation orocclusion of blood vessels. These tools must be small enough to beinserted through an incision and long enough to reach the desired bloodvessels within the patient.

Surgeons employ small surgical clips and long clip appliers to ligate orocclude blood vessels in laparoscopic and endoscopic surgicalprocedures. These surgical clips need to perform multiple functions.

First, the surgical clip must be securely fastened to the blood vessel.Movement or slippage of the surgical clip on the vessel should beminimized or eliminated once the clip has been applied. Second, thesurgical clip should completely close the blood vessel to which it isapplied. Movement or slippage of the surgical clip or failure to fullyclose a blood vessel may cause one or more of the following: damage tonearby tissue, interference on the surgical site, patient blood loss, alethal drop in blood pressure, or loss of the clip inside the patient.

Third, the surgical clip should be designed to minimize damage to theclosed blood vessel and surrounding tissue as much as possible. Surgicalclips that cause tissue or blood vessel damage may result in internalbleeding a lethal drop in blood pressure, infections, or longer recoveryperiods.

Examples of surgical clips are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,610,073;6,217,590; 5,509,920; 5,501,693; 5,201,746; 5,171,253; 5,171,252;5,100,420; 5,084,057; 5,026,382; 4,971,198; 4,976,722; 4,979,950;4,844,066; 4,799,481; 4,702,247; 4,414,721; 4,188,953; 4,146,130;3,867,944; and 3,363,628; and U.S. Published Patent Application Nos.2007/0173866; 2005/0273122; and 2004/0153107; all of which are hereinincorporated by reference in their entirety.

These previously disclosed surgical clips do not adequately securelyfasten to and completely close a blood vessel while minimizingsurrounding tissue damage. Another problem for these previouslydisclosed surgical clips is the phenomenon known as the “scissoring”effect

Previously disclosed surgical clips are either U-shaped or V-shaped.These shapes are defined by a pair of legs joined at a proximate end byan apex and spaced apart at a distal end to define a space between thelegs. A clip applier places a surgical clip over a blood vessel withinthis space and compresses the legs to ligate the vessel.

Scissoring occurs when, due to deformation of the surgical clips in theclip applier, the legs do not align and are offset at the distal endswith respect to each other. This misalignment causes the surgical clipto cut or sever blood vessels during application. Scissoring can alsoprevent the clip from completely closing the vessel.

Accordingly, the subject invention is a novel surgical clip thatsecurely fastens to and completely closes a blood vessel whileminimizing surrounding tissue damage. In addition, this novel surgicalclip prevents vessel damage due to the “scissoring” effect.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

There are additional features of the invention that will be describedhereinafter arid which will form the subject matter of the claimsappended hereto. In this respect, before explaining at least oneembodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that theinvention is not limited in its application to the details ofconstruction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in thefollowing description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention iscapable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out invarious ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology andterminology employed herein are for the purpose of the description andshould not be regarded as limiting.

The subject invention discloses a surgical clip, comprising: A arelatively non-deformable first elongated leg member extending along afirst leg axis from a first proximal end to a first distal end, andhaving an outer lateral surface extending along the first leg axis andan inner lateral surface extending along the first leg axis, and whereinthe first elongated leg member has a substantially D-shapedcross-section transverse to the first leg axis and defined by a curvedboundary component in the outer lateral surface, and a substantiallystraight boundary component in the inner lateral surface, B. arelatively non-deformable second elongated leg member extending along asecond leg axis from a second proximal end to a second distal end, andhaving an inner lateral surface extending along the second leg axis andan outer lateral surface extending along the second leg axis, andwherein the second elongated leg member has a substantially D-shapedcross-section transverse to the second leg axis and defined by a curvedboundary component in the outer lateral surface, and a substantiallystraight boundary component in the inner lateral surface, C. arelatively deformable apex member coupling the first proximal end withthe second proximal end whereby the first leg axis and the second legaxis are coplanar and extend along a clip axis, whereby the first leginner lateral surface is opposite the second leg inner lateral surface,wherein the outer lateral surface of the first leg member, and the outerlateral surface of the second leg member, each include a first outersurface lateral boundary and a second outer surface lateral boundary,extending along the respective first leg axis and second leg axis, fromthe proximal end to the distal end, wherein the inner lateral surface ofthe first leg member, arid the inner lateral surface of the secondmember, each include: i. an elongated substantially planar centralportion extending along the respective first leg axis and second legaxis, from the proximal end to the distal end, and having a firstcentral lateral boundary and a second central lateral boundary, whereinthe first lateral boundary and the second lateral boundary extend alongthe respective first leg axis and second leg axis, from the proximal endto the distal end, ii. first and second elongated clamping portions,wherein each of the first and second elongated clamping portions extendsalong the respective first leg axis and second leg axis, from theproximal end to the distal end, and includes a first clamp lateralboundary and a second clamp lateral boundary, wherein the first clamplateral boundary and the second clamp lateral boundary of each clampingportion extends along the respective first leg axis and second leg axis,from the proximal end to the distal end, and wherein each of the firstand second elongated clamping portions is S-shaped transverse to therespective first leg axis and second leg axis, and i. defines first andsecond open-faced concave cross-section grooves extending from the innerlateral surface toward the outer lateral surface, and extendingtransverse from the first clamp lateral boundaries of the respectivefirst and second clamping portions, and ii. defines first arid secondconvex cross-section ridges extending from the inner lateral surfaceaway from the outer lateral surface, and extending transverse from thesecond clamp lateral boundaries of the respective first and secondclamping portions, wherein the first clamp lateral boundaries of therespective first and second clamping portions are contiguous with therespective first central lateral boundary and second central lateralboundary of the respective central planar portions of the respectivefirst and second leg members, wherein the second clamp lateralboundaries of the respective first and second clamping portions arecontiguous with the respective first outer surface lateral boundary andsecond outer surface lateral boundary of the outer surfaces of therespective first leg member and second leg member, wherein the groovesand ridges of the first leg member are opposite associated grooves andridges of the second leg member.

In another embodiment of the subject invention, the first leg axis andthe second leg axis may be substantially parallel, and substantiallyparallel to the clip axis.

In a further embodiment of the subject invention, the first leg axis andthe second leg axis diverge from the apex member.

In an additional embodiment of the subject invention, the planar centralportions of the respective first leg member and second leg member, mayinclude a plurality of open-faced grooves extending transverse to therespective first leg axis and second leg axis.

In a further embodiment of the subject invention, the planar centralportions of the respective first leg member and second leg member, mayinclude a textured surface.

In another embodiment of the subject invention, the respective first legmember and second leg member may have a substantially uniform widthtransverse to the respective first leg axis and second leg axis.

In a further embodiment of the subject invention, the groove concavecross-section may be substantially semi-circular.

In an additional embodiment of the subject invention, the groove concavecross-section may be substantially semi-elliptical.

In another embodiment of the subject invention, the ridge convexcross-section may be substantially semi-circular.

In a further embodiment of the subject invention, the ridge convexcross-section may be substantially semi-elliptical.

Another embodiment of the subject invention, discloses a surgical clipfor a clip applier comprising: a first elongated leg member comprising afirst proximal end, a first distal end, a first outer surface and afirst inner surface, wherein the first outer surface comprises asubstantially half-round cross-sectional configuration and the firstinner surface comprises a substantial flat first central inner portionsuch that the first elongated leg member has a substantially D-shapedcross-sectional configuration, wherein the first inner surface furthercomprises a first elongated concave groove adjacent to a first side ofthe first central inner portion, a second elongated concave grooveadjacent to a second side of the first central inner portion thatopposes the first side, a first elongated convex ridge adjacent to thefirst elongated concave groove, and a second elongated convex ridgeadjacent to the second elongated concave groove; a second elongated legmember comprising a second proximal end, a second distal end, a secondouter surface and a second inner surface, wherein the second outersurface comprises a substantially half-round cross-sectionalconfiguration and the second inner surface comprises a substantial flatsecond central inner portion such that the second elongated leg memberhas a substantially D-shaped cross-sectional configuration, wherein thesecond inner surface further comprises a third elongated concave grooveadjacent to a first side of the second central inner portion, a fourthelongated concave groove adjacent to a second side of the second centralinner portion that opposes the first side, a third elongated convexridge adjacent to the third elongated concave groove, and a fourthelongated convex ridge adjacent to the fourth elongated concave groove;wherein the first proximal end arid the second proximal end couple toform a relatively deformable apex for the surgical clip, the first outersurface arid the second outer surface form a continuous outer surface,the first central inner portion and the second inner portion form acontinuous inner portion, the first elongated concave groove and thethird elongated concave groove form a first continuous internal groove,the second elongated concave groove and the fourth elongated concavegroove form a second continuous internal groove, the first elongatedconvex ridge and the third elongated convex ridge form a firstcontinuous internal convex ridge, and the second elongated convex ridgeand the fourth elongated convex ridge form a second continuous internalconvex ridge.

In another embodiment of the subject invention, the first and secondcentral inner portions, proximate to the first and second distal ends,may each further comprise a plurality of raised surfaces. In anotherembodiment of the subject invention, the first and second central innerportions may each further comprise a serrated surface. In anotherembodiment of the subject invention, the first and second central innerportions may each further comprise a textured surface.

In one embodiment ofthe subject invention, the surgical clip comprisesone piece.

In a further embodiment of the subject invention, the surgical clip maybe 0.1 to 0.5 inches in length.

In another embodiment of the subject invention, the surgical clip may becomposed of titanium or stainless steel. In one embodiment of thesubject invention, the surgical clip may be composed of biodegradablematerial.

In an even further embodiment of the subject invention, there is nominimum vessel closure diameter for the surgical clip.

In another embodiment of the subject invention, the clip may have asubstantially U-shaped configuration. In one embodiment of the subjectinvention, the clip may have a substantially V-shaped configuration.

In another embodiment of the subject invention, the first and secondouter surfaces may each have a substantially half-ellipticalcross-sectional configuration. In an even further embodiment of thesubject invention, the first and second outer surfaces may each have asubstantially half-circular cross-sectional configuration.

In a further embodiment of the subject invention, each groove on theinner surface of each leg member may have a substantiallyhalf-elliptical cross-sectional configuration. In one embodiment of thesubject invention, each groove on the inner surface of each leg membermay have a substantially half-circular cross-sectional configuration.

In another embodiment of the subject invention, each ridge on the innersurface of each leg member may have a substantially half-circularcross-sectional configuration. In a further embodiment of the subjectinvention, each ridge on the inner surface of each leg member may have asubstantially half-elliptical uninterrupted cross-sectionalconfiguration.

One embodiment of the subject invention discloses surgical clip for aclip applier comprising first and second leg members connected at theirproximal ends and terminating at their distal ends, wherein the distalends of the first and second leg members are spaced apart andsubstantially parallel to one another, further wherein the clipcomprises a continuous curved outer surface and a continuous tissuegripping surface, wherein the tissue gripping surface comprises asubstantial flat inner portion, a set of opposing longitudinal channelsseparated by the substantially flat inner portion and a set of opposingcurved longitudinal ridges on either side of the opposing channels,wherein the proximal ends of the first and second leg members curvetowards each other to connect.

In another embodiment of the subject invention, the surgical clipcomprises one piece.

In a further embodiment of the subject invention, the surgical clip maybe 0.1 to 0.5 inches in length.

In an additional embodiment of the subject invention, the surgical clipmay be composed of titanium or stainless steel. In another embodiment ofthe subject invention, the surgical clip may be composed ofbiodegradablematerial.

In one embodiment of the subject invention, there is no minimum vesselclosure diameter for the surgical clip.

In a further embodiment of the subject invention, the clip may have asubstantially U-shaped configuration. In an additional embodiment of thesubject invention, the clip may have a substantially V-shapedconfiguration.

In one embodiment of the subject invention, the continuous curved outersurface of the clip may have a substantially half-ellipticalcross-sectional configuration. In another embodiment of the subjectinvention, the continuous curved outer surface of the clip may have asubstantially half-circular cross-sectional configuration.

In a further embodiment of the subject invention, each continuous grooveon the continuous tissue gripping surface of the clip may have asubstantially half-elliptical cross-sectional configuration. In anadditional embodiment of the subject invention, each continuous grooveon the continuous tissue gripping surface of the clip may have asubstantially half-circular cross-sectional configuration.

In one embodiment of the subject invention, each continuous ridge on thecontinuous tissue gripping surface of the clip may have a substantiallyhalf-circular uninterrupted cross-sectional configuration. In anotherembodiment of the subject invention, each continuous ridge on thecontinuous tissue gripping surface the clip may have a substantiallyhalf-elliptical uninterrupted cross-sectional configuration.

One embodiment of the subject invention discloses a method of securelyligating a vessel, comprising the steps of: a) providing a surgical clipwith first and second leg members connected at their proximal ends andterminating at their distal ends, wherein the distal ends of the firstand second leg members are spaced apart and substantially parallel toone another, further wherein each leg member comprises a curved outersurface and an inner surface, wherein each inner surface comprises asubstantial flat inner portion, a set of opposing grooves separated bythe substantially flat inner portion and a set of opposing curved ridgeson either side of the opposing grooves, wherein the proximal ends of thefirst and second leg members curve towards each other to connect suchthat the surgical clip comprises a continuous curved outer surface fromthe curved outer surfaces of each leg member and a continuous innersurface from the inner surfaces of each leg member including acontinuous substantially flat inner portion, a continuous set ofopposing grooves separated by the continuous substantially flat innerportion, and a continuous set of opposing curved ridges; b) placing thevessel between the inner surfaces of said first and second leg members;c) applying equal compressive forces against said first and second legmembers in opposing directions so as to clamp the vessel between theinner surfaces of the first and second leg members, wherein the surgicalclip bends at the connection of proximal ends of the first and secondleg members, and further wherein each of the opposing grooves andopposing ridges on the inner surface of the first leg align with theopposing grooves and opposing ridges on the inner surface of the secondleg when the surgical clip is compressed; and d) removing thecompressive forces from the clip, wherein the connection of proximalends of the first and second leg member remains in a bent, compressedposition to maintain ligation of the vessel.

There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more importantfeatures of the invention in order that the detailed description thereofthat follows may be better understood, and in order that the presentcontribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additionalfeatures of the invention that will be described hereinafter and whichwill form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto. Thesetogether with other objects of the invention, along with the variousfeatures of novelty, which characterize the invention, are pointed outwith particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of thisdisclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the followingdetailed description of embodiments thereof, which description should beconsidered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of the surgical vessel ligatingclip in the open position.

FIG. 2 illustrates an enlarged perspective view of one ligating leg ofthe surgical vessel ligating clip.

FIG. 3 illustrates a side elevational view of the surgical vesselligating clip in the open position.

FIG. 4 illustrates an enlarged cross sectional view of the surgicalvessel ligating clip along line 21-21 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 illustrates a front view of the surgical vessel ligating clip inthe open position.

FIG. 6 illustrates another front view of the surgical vessel ligatingclip in the open position.

FIG. 7 illustrates an enlarged perspective view of one ligating leg ofthe surgical vessel ligating clip along line E-E of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 illustrates a perspective view of the surgical vessel ligatingclip in the compressed or closed position.

FIG. 9 illustrates a perspective view of the surgical vessel ligatingclip in the compressed or closed position applied to a tubular vessel.

FIG. 10 illustrates an enlarged front cross sectional view of thesurgical vessel ligating clip in the compressed or closed positionapplied to a tubular vessel.

FIG. 11 illustrates a front elevational view of a surgical clip of theprior art in the internal grooves of a surgical clip applier apparatusillustrating the non-parallel ligating position ofthe clip legs thatresults in the scissoring effect.

FIG. 12 illustrates a front elevational view of the surgical vesselligating clip with outer surface configurations that complement theinternal grooves of a surgical clip applier apparatus to control forparallelism in the ligating position of the clip legs that results inprevention of clip scissoring.

FIG. 13 illustrates a front view ofthe distal end of a surgical clipapplier apparatus containing a surgical vessel ligating clip.

FIG. 14 illustrates a perspective view of the distal end of a surgicalclip applier apparatus along line C-C of FIG. 13.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

While several variations of the present invention have been illustratedby way of example in particular embodiments, it is apparent that furtherembodiments could be developed within the spirit and scope of thepresent invention, or the inventive concept thereof. However, it is tobe expressly understood that such modifications and adaptations arewithin the spirit and scope of the present invention, and are inclusive,but not limited to the following appended claims as set forth.

The subject invention comprises a surgical vessel ligating clip 1, asshown in FIGS. 1-14.

FIGS. 1, 3, 5 and 6 illustrate the surgical vessel ligating clip 1 inthe open or uncompressed position. The surgical vessel ligating clip 1will be in an open position before attachment or application over ablood vessel to ligate or occlude that vessel. FIGS. 8-10 illustrate theclosed or compressed position of surgical vessel ligating clip 1 aloneand clamped over a tubular vessel V.

Surgical vessel ligating clip 1 has a generally U-shaped configurationas shown in FIGS. 1 and 3. In other embodiments of the subjectinvention, surgical vessel ligating clip 1 may have a V-shapedconfiguration, another symmetrical. configuration, or even anasymmetrical configuration.

The surgical vessel ligating clip 1 includes a pair of opposed elongatedligating legs 2 and 3, each having respective distal ends 2 a and 3 a,and respective proximal ends 2 b and 3 b. Ligating legs 2 and 3 havesubstantially uniform widths and lengths. Ligating legs 2 and 3 aresubstantially mirror images of each other. The distal ends 2 a and 3 aof ligating legs 2 and 3 are substantially parallel to one another andare relatively non-deformable.

The proximal ends 2 b and 3 b of the ligating legs 2 and 3 curve towardseach other to form apex connection 4. Apex connection 4 is relativelydeformable to allow the surgical vessel ligating clip 1 to compress fromthe open position to the closed position illustrated in FIGS. 8-10.

Ligating leg 2 contains an inner tissue contacting surface 5 and anouter surface 6 that both extend along the axis of ligating leg 2 in asubstantially parallel direction. Ligating leg 3 contains an innertissue contacting surface 7 and an outer surface 8 that both extendalong the axis of ligating leg 3 in a substantially parallel direction.

Outer surfaces 6 arid 8 each have a substantially half-roundcross-sectional configuration. In other embodiments of the subjectinvention, the outer surfaces of each ligating leg may each have asubstantially half-elliptical cross-sectional configuration. FIGS. 4 and10 illustrate enlarged cross-sectional views of ligating legs 2 and 3.Inner tissue contacting surface 5 and outer surface 6 form asubstantially D-shaped cross-sectional configuration for ligating leg 2.Inner tissue contacting surface 7 and outer surface 8 form asubstantially D-shaped cross-sectional configuration for ligating leg 3.Ligating legs 2 and 3 are substantially equivalent in size and shape.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2, 5, 10 and 12, inner tissue contactingsurface 5 of ligating leg 2 contains a substantially flat inner centralsurface 9 with opposing, open-faced, concave grooves 10 and 11 on eitherside. Inner tissue contacting surface 5 further contains two opposingconvex ridges 12 and 13 on the outer sides of opposing grooves 10 and11, respectively.

As illustrated in FIGS. 4, 5, 10 and 12, inner tissue contacting surface7 of ligating leg 3 contains a substantially flat inner central 14 withopposing, open-faced, concave grooves 15 and 16 on either side. Innertissue contacting surface 7 further contains two opposing convex ridges17 and 18 on the outer sides of opposing grooves 15 and 16,respectively.

Grooves 10 and 11 each have a substantially half-round cross-sectionalconfiguration with respect to inner tissue contacting surface 5 onligating leg 2. Grooves 15 and 16 each have a substantially half-roundcross-sectional configuration with respect to inner tissue contactingsurface 7 on ligating leg 3. In other embodiments of the subjectinvention, grooves 10, 11, 15 and 16 may each have a substantiallyhalf-elliptical cross-sectional configuration. As illustrated in FIG.10, these rounded configurations of grooves 10, 11, 15 and 16 preventcutting or piercing ofligated vessel tissue.

Ridges 12 and 13 each have a substantially half-round cross-sectionalconfiguration with respect to inner tissue contacting surface 5 onligating leg 2. Ridges 17 and 18 each have a substantially half-roundcross-sectional configuration with respect to inner tissue contactingsurface 7 on ligating leg 3. In other embodiments of the subjectinvention, ridges 12, 13, 17 and 18 may each have a substantiallyhalf-elliptical cross-sectional configuration. As illustrated in FIG.10, these rounded configurations of ridges 12, 13, 17 and 18 preventcutting or piercing of ligated vessel tissue.

Grooves 10 and 11 and ridges 12 and 13 are all continuous from distalend 2 a to proximal end 2 b and extend along ligating leg 2 in asubstantially parallel direction, Grooves 15 and 16 and ridges 17 and 18are all continuous from distal end 3 a to proximal end 3 b and extendalong ligating leg 3 in a substantially parallel direction. As ligatinglegs 2 and 3 curve towards each another to their respective proximalends, 2 b and 3 b, to be connected at apex connection 4; grooves 10 and15, grooves 11 and 16, ridges 12 and 17, and ridges 13 and 18 all meetto form uninterrupted, continuous structures on clip 1. Accordingly, theinner tissue contacting surfaces 5 and 7, and the outer surfaces 6 and 8are both uninterrupted, continuous structures on surgical clip 1 asligating legs 2 and 3 curve towards each another to connect at apexconnection 4. Thus, surgical clip 1 contains an uninterrupted,continuous outer surface with a substantially half-round cross-sectionalconfiguration and an uninterrupted, continuous internal surface with asubstantially flat inner central surface with opposing, open-faced,concave grooves on either side, and further contains two opposing convexridges on either side ofthe opposing grooves.

Substantially flat inner central surfaces 9 and 14 may further containpluralities of serrated teeth. These pluralities of serrated teeth aresubstantially perpendicular with respect to inner tissue contactingsurfaces 5 and 7. The plurality of serrated teeth 9 a extends fromdistal end 2 a along ligating leg 2 in a substantially paralleldirection, to end proximate to the point at which ligating leg 2 beginsto curve towards ligating leg 3. The plurality of serrated teethligating leg 3 (not shown) extends from distal end 3 a along ligatingleg 3 in a substantially parallel direction, to end proximate to thepoint at which ligating leg 3 begins to curve towards ligating leg 2.

FIGS. 4 and 10 illustrate the double S-shaped cross-sectionalconfiguration 19 of ligating leg 3 of the surgical vessel ligating clip1. Double S-shaped cross-sectional configuration 19 is formed from theS-shaped cross-sectional configuration of groove 15 and ridge 17, andthe S-shaped cross-sectional configuration of groove 16 and ridge 18.FIGS. 1, 2, 5 and 10 illustrate the double S-shaped cross-sectionalconfiguration 20 of ligating leg 2 that opposes and is a mirror image ofconfiguration 19 on ligating leg 3. Double S-shaped cross-sectionalconfiguration 20 is formed from the S-shaped cross-sectionalconfiguration of groove 10 and ridge 12, and the S-shapedcross-sectional configuration of groove 11 and ridge 13. Double S-shapedcross-sectional configurations 19 and 20 allow surgical clip 1 to besecurely ligated to a vessel.

FIG. 8 illustrates an isometric view of the surgical vessel ligatingclip 1 in the closed or compressed position (vessel V not shown). FIG. 9illustrates the closed position of surgical vessel ligating clip 1attached to vessel V.

FIG. 10 illustrates an enlarged cross-sectional view of the surgicalvessel ligating clip 1 in the compressed or closed position applied to atubular vessel V. Ligating leg 3 is compressed over ligating leg 2. Thegrooves of both legs 2 and 3 form substantially ellipticalcross-sectional spaces, with groove 15 ofleg 3 being disposed overgroove 10 of leg 2; and groove 16 of leg 3 being disposed over groove 11of leg 2. The vessel, as illustrated by reference letter V, traversesthrough ridges 17 and 12; into grooves 15 and 10; through substantiallyflat central surfaces 14 and 9; through the grooves 16 and 11; andfinally through ridges 18 and 13. No internal fluid traverses vessel Vwhen clip 1 is compressed over the vessel

The structures of inner tissue contacting surfaces 5 and 7 promoteligation or occlusion of a tubular blood vessel without piercing orcutting the vessel. Once the surgical clip 1 is closed or compressedover a tubular vessel, the vessel tissue may gradually move or ooze intothe spaces between grooves 10, 11, 15 and 16 while remainingfrictionally engaged by the compressive force applied by substantiallyflat central surfaces 9 and 14 and ridges 12, 13, 17 and 18; such thatthe clip 1 does not move or become loose on the vessel. The half roundededges of grooves 10, 11, 15 and 16, arid ridges 12, 13, 17 and 18, doriot pierce or cut the vessel during ligation. The substantiallyhalf-round cross-sectional configuration of outer surfaces 6 and 8 donot pierce or cut surrounding tissue.

The surgical clip 1 of the subject invention is applied to body tissueby the distal end 31 of surgical clip applier apparatus 32. FIG. 13illustrates a front view of the distal end 31 of a surgical clip applierapparatus 32 containing a surgical vessel ligating clip 1. FIG. 14illustrates a perspective view of the distal end 31 of a surgical clipapplier apparatus 32 along line C-C of FIG. 13. A surgical clip applyingapparatus 32 generally has a long, narrow structure 33 that contains aplurality of internal clips 1 in sequence and positions a clip 1proximate to the target vessel.

The end of this long narrow structure 33 has a mechanism, such as a jawsassembly 34. The surgical vessel ligating clip 1 is maintained in theopen position in jaws assembly 34 of a surgical clip applying apparatus32 by applying two initial compressive forces in opposing directions tothe outer surface of each leg 2 and 3 until the desired tissue isreached through a small incision in the patient. Inner tissue contactingsurface 5 of leg 2 is placed on one side of a vessel V to be ligated andinner tissue contacting surface 7 of leg 3 is placed on the opposingside of vessel V. The jaws assembly 34 increases the two equalcompressive forces in opposing directions to the outer surface of eachleg 2 and 3 towards the center of the surgical clip 1. As jaws assembly34 increases the two equal compressive forces to the outer surface ofeach leg 2 and 3, the legs to bend at the apex connection 4 and thedistance between inner tissue contacting surface 5 and inner tissuecontacting surface 7 is reduced as the distal ends 2 a and 3 a arebrought closer to each other. As this distance is reduced, ridges 12 and17, ridges 13 and 18 and substantially flat inner surfaces 9 and 14attach to opposing sides of the vessel V, respectively. As this distanceis further reduced, the vessel V diameter is reduced to a desired level.

Once the surgical clip 1 is closed, the distal ends 2 a and 3 a ofligating legs 2 and 3 will remain substantially parallel to one another.The vessel V will be closed by the opposing inner tissue contactingsurface 5 and the inner tissue contacting surface 7. Apex 4 retains theclosed position of the surgical clip 1 assuring that the vessel Vremains ligated. The continuous outer surface of surgical clip 1 with asubstantially half-round cross-sectional configuration will reduceirritation and trauma in tissue surrounding the ligated vessel, since itdoes not have any sharp corners or edges that may pierce or cutsurrounding tissue.

The pluralities of teeth 9 a on the substantially flat surfaces 9 and14, provide additional friction on slippery blood vessels to prevent theclip from moving or slipping from the vessel.

Surgical clips of the prior art deform in shape when applied by asurgical clip applying apparatus. As illustrated in FIG. 11, surgicalclips 22 of the prior art have legs 23 and 24 with straight-edged outersurfaces 25 and 26. These prior art clips 22 are inserted into theinternal grooves 27 and 28 of a jaws assembly 34. The internal grooves27 and 28 ofjaws assembly 34 must be large enough to allow clip 22 tohave clearance on both sides to pass through onto the vessel, however,jaws assembly 34 must also initially apply two equal compressive forcesin opposing directions to the outer surface of each leg of clip 22.These initial compressive forces are required to hold the clip 22 inplace for ligation. Once the surgical clip applying apparatus reachesthe target vessel, jaws assembly 34 will deform the clip 22 byincreasing these two equal compressive forces in opposing directions tothe outer surface of each leg towards the center of the surgical clip.

The grooves 27 and 28 of the surgical clip applying apparatus and thelegs 23 and 24 of clip 22 have different tolerances for compressiveforces. Once the jaws assembly 34 initially applies compressive forcesto clip 22 to hold it in place for ligation, the different tolerancesfor these initial compressive forces cause the legs 23 and 24 of clip 22to move to opposing corners of internal grooves 27 and 28 through theclearance space on both sides. This movement causes the legs 23 and 24to be held in a non-parallel position within the jaws assembly 34.

As the jaws assembly 34 ligates clip 22 over a vessel, it increasesthese two equal compressive forces in opposing directions to the outersurface of each leg 23 and 24. Since these legs 23 and 24 are held in anon-parallel position, these increased compressive forces are notapplied evenly to legs 23 and 24. This unevenly applied compressiveforce results in displacement of each end of legs 23 and 24 over thevessel. This displacement is called the scissoring effect because itresults in the piercing or cutting of vessels. Scissoring can alsoprevent the clip from closing completely about the vessel.

The outer surfaces 6 and 8 of ligating legs 2 and 3 of surgical clip 1allows for full control of both legs 2 and 3 of the clip 1 by the jawassembly 34 and thus eliminates the possibility of scissoring.

As shown in FIG. 12, surgical clip 1 has legs 2 and 3 with outersurfaces 6 and 8 that have substantially half-round cross-sectionalconfigurations. Clip 1 is inserted into internal, open-faced, concavegrooves 29 and 30 of a jaws assembly 34. These grooves 29 and 30 alsohave substantially half-round cross-sectional configurations. Due to thecomplementary configurations of outer surface 6 to internal groove 29and outer surface 8 to internal groove 30, the surgical clip 1 hasenough space to pass through jaws assembly 34. However, grooves 29 and30 do not permit legs 2 and 3 to move away from a substantially parallelposition. Once the jaws assembly 34 initially applies compressive forcesto clip 1 to hold it in place for ligation, grooves 29 and 30 do notpermit legs 2 and 3 to move away from a substantially parallel position.

Thus, as the jaws assembly 34 ligates clip 1 over a vessel, theincreased compressive forces are applied evenly to the outer surfaces oflegs 2 and 3. This evenly applied compressive force prevents anydisplacement or scissoring of clip 1 over the vessel.

In one embodiment of the subject invention, the surgical clip 1 is 0.1to 0.5 inches in length or width. In another embodiment of the subjectinvention, surgical clip is 0.25 inches in length. In a furtherembodiment of the subject invention, the surgical clip 1 is intended tobe used with a five millimeter trocar. In one embodiment of the subjectinvention, the internal angle of the apex connection 4 is from 110degrees to 150 degrees. In a further embodiment of the subjectinvention, the surgical clip is composed of titanium, stainless steel,tantalum, plastics materials, or a combination thereof. In an evenfurther embodiment of the subject invention, the surgical clip iscomposed of biodegradable material.

The surgical clips of the subject invention may have up to a 20% greaterocclusion area than other surgical clips within a five-millimetertrocar.

another embodiment of the subject invention, there is no minimum vesselclosure diameter for the surgical clip.

1.-10. (canceled)
 11. A surgical clip, comprising: a first elongatemember having a distal end portion and a proximal end portion, the firstelongate member having an inner surface configured to contact a bodilytissue, the inner surface forming a first ridge extending along a firstedge of the inner surface between the distal end portion and theproximal end portion and forming a second ridge extending along a secondedge of the inner surface between the distal end portion and theproximal end portion, the second edge being opposite the first edge andthe second ridge being parallel to the first ridge, the inner surfacedefining a first recess disposed between the first ridge and a centralportion of the inner surface and a second recess disposed between thesecond ridge and the central portion of the inner surface; and a secondelongate member having a distal end portion and a proximal end portion,the proximal end portion of the second elongate member being coupled tothe proximal end portion of the first elongate member, the secondelongate member having an inner surface configured to contact the bodilytissue, the inner surface of the second elongate member forming a thirdridge extending along a first edge of the inner surface of the secondelongate member between the distal end portion and the proximal endportion of the second elongate member, the inner surface forming afourth ridge extending along a second edge of the inner surface of thesecond elongate member between the distal end portion and the proximalend portion of the second elongate member, the second edge of the secondelongate member being opposite the first edge of the second elongatemember and the third ridge being parallel to the fourth ridge, the innersurface of the second elongate member defining a third recess disposedbetween the third ridge and a central portion of the inner surface ofthe second elongate member and a fourth recess disposed between thefourth ridge and the central portion of the inner surface of the secondelongate member.
 12. The surgical clip of claim 11, wherein the centralportion of the first elongate member includes a plurality of groovesextending between and perpendicular to the first recess and the secondrecess.
 13. The surgical clip of claim 12, wherein the central portionof the second elongate member includes a plurality of grooves extendingbetween and perpendicular to the first recess and the second recess. 14.The surgical clip of claim 13, wherein the grooves defined by the firstelongate member form a plurality of teeth along the central portion ofthe first elongate member between the first recess and the secondrecess, and the grooves defined by the second elongate member form aplurality of teeth along the central portion of the second elongatemember between the third recess and the fourth recess.
 15. The surgicalclip of claim 11, wherein each of the first ridge, the second ridge, thethird ridge, and the fourth ridge are rounded.
 16. The surgical clip ofclaim 11, further comprising: a coupling portion coupling the proximalend portion of the first elongate member to the proximal end portion ofthe second elongate member.
 17. The surgical clip of claim 16, whereinthe coupling portion is configured to deform in response to an appliedforce to transition the surgical clip from an open configuration to aclosed configuration.
 18. A surgical clip, comprising: a first elongatemember having a distal end portion and a proximal end portion, the firstelongate member having an inner surface and an outer surfacecollectively forming a first rounded edge and a second rounded edgesubstantially parallel to the first rounded edge, each of the firstrounded edge and the second rounded edge extending between the proximalend portion and the distal end portion of the first elongate member, theinner surface defining a first recess disposed between the first roundededge and a central portion of the inner surface and a second recessdefined between the second rounded edge and the central portion, thecentral portion defining a plurality of grooves extending between andperpendicular to the first recess and the second recess; and a secondelongate member having a distal end portion and a proximal end portion,the proximal end portion of the second elongate member being coupled tothe proximal end portion of the first elongate member, the secondelongate member having an inner surface and an outer surfacecollectively forming a third rounded edge and a fourth rounded edgesubstantially parallel to the third rounded edge, each of the thirdrounded edge and the fourth rounded edge extending between the proximalend portion and the distal end portion of the second elongate member,the inner surface of the second elongate member defining a third recessdisposed between the third rounded edge and a central portion of theinner surface of the second elongate member and a second recess definedbetween the fourth rounded edge and the central portion of the innersurface of the second elongate member, the central portion of the secondelongate member defining a plurality of grooves extending between andperpendicular to the third recess and the fourth recess.
 19. Thesurgical clip of claim 18, wherein the first rounded edge and the firstrecess collectively form an S-shaped cross-sectional shape.
 20. Thesurgical clip of claim 18, wherein at least one of the first elongatemember or the second elongate member has a D-shaped cross-sectionalshape.
 21. The surgical clip of claim 18, wherein: the first roundededge and the third rounded edge collectively form a first continuousrounded edge between the distal end portion of the first elongate memberand the distal end portion the second elongate member, and the secondrounded edge and the fourth rounded edge collectively form a secondcontinuous rounded edge between the distal end portion of the firstelongate member and the distal end portion of the second elongatemember.
 22. The surgical clip of claim 21, wherein: the first recess andthe third recess collectively form a first continuous recess between thedistal end portion of the first elongate member and the distal endportion of the second elongate member, the first continuous recess isadjacent to the first continuous rounded edge, and the second recess andthe fourth recess collectively form a second continuous recess betweenthe distal end portion of the first elongate member and the distal endportion of the second elongate member, the second continuous recess isadjacent to the second continuous rounded edge.
 23. The surgical clip ofclaim 18, wherein: the plurality of grooves of the central portion ofthe first elongate member form a plurality of teeth between the firstrecess and the second recess, and the plurality of grooves of thecentral portion of the second elongate member form a plurality of teethbetween the third recess and the fourth recess.
 24. The surgical clip ofclaim 18, wherein the surgical clip is configured to be transitionedfrom an open configuration to a closed configuration, the first roundededge and the second rounded edge being aligned with the third roundededge and the fourth rounded edge, respectively, when the surgical clipis in the closed configuration, and the first recess and the secondrecess being aligned with the third recess and the fourth recess,respectively, when the surgical clip is in the closed configuration. 25.A surgical clip, comprising: a first elongate member having a distal endportion and a proximal end portion; a second elongate member having adistal end portion and a proximal end portion, the proximal end portionof the second elongate member being coupled to the proximal end portionof the first elongate member, the second elongate member beingsubstantially parallel to the first elongate member; an outer surfacecollectively formed by the first elongate member and the second elongatemember; and an inner surface collectively formed by the first elongatemember and the second elongate member, the inner surface defining afirst recess extending continuously between the distal end portion ofthe first elongate member and the distal end portion of the secondelongate member, the inner surface defining a second recess extendingcontinuously between the distal end portion of the first elongate memberand the distal end portion of the second elongate member, the secondrecess being parallel to and spaced apart from the first recess, theinner surface forming a central portion extending continuously betweenthe first recess and the second recess, the central portion defining aplurality of grooves extending along a length of the first elongatemember and a length of the second elongate member.
 26. The surgical clipof claim 25, wherein the outer surface and the inner surfacecollectively form a first rounded edge and a second rounded edge, thefirst rounded edge and the second rounded edge each extendingcontinuously between the distal end portion of the first elongate memberand the distal end portion of the second elongate member.
 27. Thesurgical clip of claim 26, wherein the first recess is disposed betweenthe first rounded edge and the central portion and the second recess isdisposed between the second rounded edge and the central portion. 28.The surgical clip of claim 26, wherein the first recess is disposedbetween the first rounded edge and the central portion and the secondrecess is disposed between the second rounded edge and the centralportion, and the first rounded edge and the first recess collectivelyform an S-shaped cross-sectional shape and the second rounded edge andthe second recess collectively form an S-shaped cross-sectional shape.29. The surgical clip of claim 25, wherein the plurality of grooves ofthe central portion form a plurality of teeth extending along the lengthof the first elongate member and the length of the second elongatemember.
 30. The surgical clip of claim 25, wherein the surgical clip isconfigured to be transitioned from an open configuration to a closedconfiguration, a first portion of first recess and a first portion ofthe second recess disposed on the first elongate member being alignedwith a second portion of the first recess and a second portion of thesecond recess disposed on the second elongate member, respectively, whenthe surgical clip is in the closed configuration.